About Me…
October 19th, 2008
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), I provide compassionate and affirming psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and adolescents. I have special expertise helping folks who feel stigmatized based on their identity or life experiences…Families of Transgender and Gender Variant Folk
December 8th, 2009
Living in a world which doesn’t accept differing expressions of gender, much less transgender and transexual people, can be confusing and difficult. And not just for gender variant or transgendered persons. Parents, partners, spouses, and children also experience the judgement and fear that often comes out of our culture.
Escaping Trauma (Examples from the movie “Precious”)
November 23rd, 2009
Have you seen the movie “Precious”? I found it to be very moving, upsetting and enlightening. I thought that the main character, Precious, gave us some excellent examples of the negative effects of trauma and abuse - be it physical, sexual, or emotional.
When The Going Gets Tough…
November 21st, 2009
What do you do when things get tough? When you’re going through a difficult illness, experiencing a loss, or feeling depressed or anxious? Many people follow the adage - “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” While there is some value to this, I offer a different path.
Look at Your Feet!
November 2nd, 2009
Earlier in the week, I learned a valuable lesson from someone* who’s been through some major difficulties in life, including alcoholism in the family, financial difficulties, relationship issues, and mental illness. This woman - let’s call her Shauna - has been troubled for a long time. However, she’s found an excellent coping mechanism, firmly grounded in awareness and mindfulness. Even when times are hard, and perhaps especially when times are hard, Shauna reminds herself to “Look at my feet.”
Your Invincible Summer
October 19th, 2009
“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”~ Albert Camus
It Came To Pass…Not to Stay
September 22nd, 2009
When you’re in the middle of a crisis or just feeling down, do you ever get pessimistic, thinking that this is your fate? That you’ll never find relief? That it will never get any better? If so, you’re not alone. It’s common for people to respond this way to difficulties in life, as well as to their current emotional states.
What Therapy And New York City Have in Common
September 13th, 2009
Recently a friend of mine from the Midwest told me about her visit to New York City. Her and her partner brought their nephew, a teenager who feels and appears out of place in their hometown, for vacation. What’s important to understand is how their nephew behaves at home. He dresses quite provocatively and acts quite haughty. He easily puts people off with his behavior and attitude. If one tried to understand what might be behind this, you might guess that he is acting in a protective and distancing way.
Radical (and Gentle) Acceptance
August 24th, 2009
Have you ever felt lonely, confused, angry or sad? Of course you have. These are all normal, human emotions and experiences. Are you comfortable feeling this way? Perhaps not. So, what do you do when faced with them? Do you stuff them, avoiding them through negative self-talk, eating, drinking or some other behavior? If so, there is another way.
Gay and Lesbian Couples & the Military
July 19th, 2009
I have learned from my clients that being gay or lesbian and in the military is not easy. Having to hide an integral part of yourself can take it’s toll. The military poses special challenges for same sex couples in which one or both of the partners is serving. For some couples, secrecy becomes important both on the job and off. And if the couple decides to live openly while off-duty, worries about being seen or “caught” can still be present.
Trans Health Conference in Philadelphia
June 27th, 2009
Do you know about the Trans Health Conference in Philadelphia? I just attended the 8th meeting in early June and found it to be a great resource for everyone…trans folk, gender variant children, therapists, doctors, and anyone else interested in transgender concerns, lives, and health.
Recent Posts
Categories
Archives
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Aug | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |||